rex non potest peccare

Rex non potest peccare is a Latin legal maxim meaning "the king can do no wrong" which developed into the doctrine of sovereign immunity , also known as governmental immunity . Rex non potest peccare originated in English common law and is based on the idea that the king cannot commit a legal wrong. The doctrine of sovereign immunity developed from this principle prevents sovereigns, including the government or its branches, departments and agencies, from being sued without their consent . In the United States, sovereign immunity applies to federal and state governments, but not to municipalities . However, federal and state governments have the right to waive their sovereign immunity.

[Last reviewed in May of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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